The heat returns: Sydney to burn as temperature to reach 39 degrees

The last burst of scorching heat from a prolonged heatwave over much of the continent will hit NSW on Friday, sending temperatures soaring to 43 degrees in parts of Sydney and creating difficult conditions for firefighters in the state's bushfire-stricken areas.

Sydney is forecast to climb to 39 degrees in the city and up to 43 degrees in the west, as a trough moves across the state from central Australia, bringing a blast of inland heat.

Weatherzone meteorologist Ben McBurney said there was potential for the city to peak at 42 degrees, given the lack of a sea breeze.

"In Sydney today we're not expecting a strong sea breeze at all, so this means the city is probably going to get pretty close to what western Sydney's going to get," he said.

"It could potentially climb to 42 degrees if the sea breeze stays out long enough."

Thousands of revellers at the Big Day Out at the Sydney Showground have been warned to drink plenty of water and wear protective clothing and sunscreen throughout the day, while misting stations will be on site to cool down partygoers.

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Mr McBurney said the heat was expected to peak in the low 40s around Coonabarabran, where firefighters are battling a 46,000-hectare bushfire that has destroyed 51 properties since it ignited last weekend. A total fire ban has been declared for Friday.

"Strong winds and a very high fire danger is forecast for the area, increasing the risk to rural properties south-east of the fire," a Rural Fire Service spokesperson said.

At 8am on Friday the fire was burning in the Bugaldie area, one kilometre south of Bugaldie village, and eight kilometres west of Coonabarabran.

"The fire is burning close to rural properties in the Bingie Grumble Road, Carrington Lane and Cenn Craich Road areas. People in these areas must remain vigilant and stay up to date with the changing fire conditions," the RFS spokesperson said.

Mr McBurney said the heat was likely to linger over that region into Saturday.

"It's not going to be as hot on Saturday, probably in the high 30s, but still not very useful for the fires over there," he said.

The heatwave on Friday will extend across much of the state. Cessnock and Singleton, near Newcastle, and Ivanhoe in the state's west are expected to peak at 43 degrees.

Mr McBurney said a cool change was expected to sweep over Sydney at about 8pm on Friday, bringing a rapid drop in temperature and creating cooler sleeping conditions.

The change would be accompanied by the chance of showers and thunderstorms late in the evening.

"This looks like the last burst of heat that's going to come through from this build up of heat over the interior," Mr McBurney said.

"The cool change is going to bring quite a sharp drop in temperature, and winds are going to turn on-shore over the weekend and this brings the risk of a few showers. Not very heavy, just a few light showers across the weekend. It's going to keep temperatures down in the mid 20s."

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